As we enter the holiday season, Chantel and I would like to change our success focus to helping others achieve success. As you go out to shop for gifts for friends and loved ones, consider how your spending power can help others achieve success. In short, support a local artist or artisan, a mom and pop store, someone in your community.

We'd like to offer a little incentive by sharing three things with you - some great quotes about helping others, an example of some of the local places Chantel supports, and an opportunity for you to win something from us.

As I contemplated this post, I looked for quotes to inspire me and would like to share three of them with you in addition to the one above.

"The best way not to feel hopeless is to get up and do something. Don't wait for good things to happen to you. If you go out and make good things happen, you will fill the world with hope, you will fill yourself with hope." Barack Obama.

"Even the smallest act of caring for another person is like a drop of water - it will make ripples throughout the entire pond." - Jessy and Bryan Matteo

"If you're not making someone else's life better, then you're wasting your time. Your life will become better by making other lives better." - Will Smith

Below you will find my (Chantel's) list of the local artists, musicians,
retailers and restaurants I support. I live in Los Angeles, so if you
live in the area or plan to visit soon, make a point of stopping in to
one or all of them. You can also order online from some of these
organizations.

Finally, we would like to give something to you. In the spirit of supporting a local business or artist, I should mention that Chantel and I are both local artists and business professionals. Therefore, I am offering a copy of my novel, The Son of Nine Sisters. Chantel is offering three thirty minute coaching sessions and a copy of an Eddie Edwards and the Psychedelic Spurs CD . To win one of these gifts, simply email us and let us know which gift you prefer and we will enter you into the drawing for that gift.

Practice Engaging Your Inner Wisdom
Karen and I would love it if you would list, in the comments section below, the local businesses YOU
support. Include the city where
people can find these businesses and put a website or phone number
so that people can reach them.

Remember that by shopping locally, you keep money in the local economy, help a neighbor stay afloat financially, and support passionate entrepreneurs.

We thank YOU for your support of Engaging Inner Wisdom all year! Good luck on winning one of our prizes!